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He stepped back and released a growl, thrusting a hand into his hair. “He had no right to touch you.”
“Will you cut the possessive bull crap?” I folded my arms over my chest. “You have no right.”
“But I have will.” His teeth slammed together. “The will to finish anyone who looks at or touches you.”
He curled his fist, pressing it against his thigh, and I knew he wanted contact. A hug. A skin-to-skin moment to soothe his anger.
His face softened, and dammit, so did my heart.
He glanced away for a moment. “I was an asshole today, wasn’t I?”
“You were,” I agreed. “Why?”
He opened his mouth. From the center of the room, the unmistakableclankof a knife against fine glass interrupted the moment.
We snapped our heads in its direction.
The music stopped.
Constance stood on a heavily mic’d podium, swathed in a navy gown with a cape, hair twisted back and adorned with delicate jewelry.
“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining us today. May I kindly have your attention?”
Her voice—pure steel, cold and sharp—grazed along my skin, giving me goosebumps. She handed the champagne glass to a server and scanned the room until her eyes landed on Zach.
Next to me.
Her expression clouded, a flash of lightning surfacing, but she quickly smothered it with a smile. “I’d like to start by thanking you for making the time to attend such a last-minute gathering. Your support means the world. The Sun family and the Sun for Warmth Foundation are forever grateful for this community and your mutual efforts in preserving local wildlife.”
Oh, she saved wildlife? That seemed so fitting, considering she was a rabid bitch.
Grief,I reminded myself,changes people.
But with her eyes drilling a hole in my temple, I struggled to conjure Dallas’ description of the old Constance Sun. Packed lunches? Carpool? Tutoring?
Surely, not the woman stabbing me with her eyes.
A tight smile tugged the corner of her mouth. “We have gathered here today to share exciting news. Something I’m sure a lot of you have wondered about.”
My heart sank all the way to my toes. I had an inkling of what it could be. Even though it came as no surprise, my whole body revolted.
“As you are well aware, my son Zachary has been on the market for some time now, searching for the perfect bride.” She laughed so gracefully, even I wanted to join her. “I do believe my search for a daughter-in-law is the worst kept secret in America.”
A wave of laughter rolled through the room.
An upsurge of nausea crashed into my stomach.
No, no, no.
Beside me, Zach tensed, his expression morphing into granite. His pinky touched mine.
His. Pinky. Touched. Mine.
And that was enough to ignite the entire world into flames.
“I am, therefore, delighted to inform you that the search is over. I’d like to take this opportunity to announce the official engagement of my son Zachary to the lovely Eileen Yang. Come, come, children.”
At first, Zach didn’t move.
